‘Empire’ To End With Season 6

The reign of ‘Empire‘ is coming to an end. Whilst the show was renewed for a 6th Season a few weeks ago, FOX has now announced it will also be a final 20-episode season.

Lee Daniels and Danny Strong’s drama stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson as heads of a family dynasty set within the glamorous and sometimes dangerous world of hip-hop music. The show revolves around the Lyon family and their media company, Empire Entertainment. The founder, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), is the king of hip-hop, but his company and reign are constantly threatened by his family, including his ex-wife, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), his sons, Jamal (Jussie Smollett), Hakeem (Bryshere “Yazz” Gray) and Andre (Trai Byers), and a volatile and competitive music industry.

It still seems to be the case that, although FOX has renewed Jussie Smollett’s contract he may not appear in the upcoming season due to his much publicised legal issues. According to a statement issued at the time by FOX, “the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for Season 6, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to Empire.” So, whilst the door is there for a possible return at some point in the future, it is closed at the moment, and that still appears to be the case. It may be that he shows back up towards the end of the season, so that can round things off with the entire Lyon’s clan, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Unlike its sister show ‘Star’, which was recently cancelled after 3 Seasons, at least ‘Empire’ will get to go out on its own terms. “We are turning the final season into a large TV event, we are trying to go out guns a blazing,” adds Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier. “You allow fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve.”

Dave has over 20 years experience in the digital industry, and is founder and editor of Geektown. Obviously a huge geek himself, he can often be found in front of the latest tv show or movie, on various video games, or with his head in a comic book.